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Writer's pictureMelissa Tembo

Casting Nets

1 Peter 5:6 -7

If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, He will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in His hands.

Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you

The Passion Translation


So be content with who you are, and do not put on airs.

God’s strong hand is on you; he will promote you at the right time.

Live carefree before God, He is most careful with you

The Message Translation


 

Over the past week, we have begun to k see the impact of COVID-19 here in New Zealand. At the time of writing this, we have 4 confirmed cases of the virus. We have empty aisle in the shops as people are bulk buying in preparation of IF something happens. Stores are reporting that sanitizers and face masks are all gone and at one point even toilet paper was out of stock. People are worried. This virus is new and it’s causing an impact that is being felt even in these corners of the earth.


You may be wondering, God, where are you? This is particularly if you are directly affected by the virus. It seems as though COVID-19 literally crept out of nowhere. Did God not see it? Did it catch Him by surprise? If not, why didn’t He do something to prevent an outbreak? Why didn’t He stop this from happening? Why doesn’t He stop all the evil from happening? The honest truth is, I don’t fully know, and I won’t even try to provide an explanation. All I am here to do is reassure you that He cares tenderly cares about you. He is most careful with you.


Matthew 9:36 says “When Jesus saw the multitude, He was deeply moved with compassion because they seemed weary and helpless". His heart broke because the people were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherded. Right now, you may be feeling this way. Weary and fainted, distressed, dejected and defeated. 2020 has been a lot. In just the past three months we have had threats of WW3, we have this new virus that just snuck up on us, Australia faced massive bush fires. There has been civil unrests, famines, droughts and deaths. And its only March. It can all get a bit dreary and wearisome. But today, I want to encourage you and let you know that it will be alright. God’s got this. He is in control and He knows what’s going to happen before it even does. In Matthew 24, Jesus said these words:


6 “You will hear of wars nearby and revolutions on every side, with more rumours of wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s systems is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding.

7 “Nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be terrible earthquakes—seismic events of epic proportion, horrible epidemics and famines in place after place. 8 This is how the first contractions and birth pains of the new age will begin!”


If you look at the world today, these things are happening. And I’m sorry to say it gets worse…


9 “You can expect to be persecuted, even killed; for you will be hated by all the nations because of your love for me.] 10 Then many will stop following me and fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many lying prophets will arise, deceiving multitudes and leading them away from the path of truth. 12 There will be such an increase of sin and lawlessness that those whose hearts once burned with passion for God and others will grow cold. 13 But keep your hope[i] to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.

14 “Yet through it all, this joyful assurance of the realm of heaven’s kingdom will be proclaimed all over the world, providing every nation with a demonstration of the reality of God. And after this the end of this age will arrive.”


As Christians, it can get disheartening when you read and hear of what Is to come. Jesus didn’t reveal these things to scare us. In fact, he says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


The beauty of being a Christian, being a disciple of Jesus, being a Child of God is not found in the absence of trouble. It’s in having the Almighty God with you through it all. He will uphold you. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, 'Destroy them! He has given you the power to destroy your enemies, knowing that it is not flesh and blood we fight. IT IS NOT PEOPLE,people. It is the spirit behind things that we have been given the power to go to war against, with the assurance that we can destroy them.


When you dwell in His secret place, you find rest in His shadow. He rescues you from every trap and protects you from deadly diseases. He covers you with His feathers and shelters you with His wings. When you walk with Him, you are not afraid of the terrors of the night. I don’t know if you have ever had night terrors, but they can be debilitating to the point where you prefer not to sleep. But the word of God says when we dwell in Him, we do not have to be afraid of the terrors of the night or the arrows that may fly in the day. Though a thousand may fall on our side, though ten thousands may be dying around us, these evils will not touch us. IF. And I repeat IF you make the Lord your refuge, IF you make the Most High your shelter no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will uphold you with their hands, so you won’t even hurt your foot. You will trample upon lions and cobras. All these promises, you have just read are found in Psalms 91. And at the end of that Psalm, God gives us a promise. He says:


I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in My Name

When they call on Me, I will answer.

I will be with them in trouble

I will rescue and honour them

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation


 

So be content with who you are, and do not put on airs. Go

d’s strong hand is on you; he will promote you at the right time. If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, He will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in His hands. Live carefree before God. Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. He is most careful with you.


 


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